On the characterization of \(2\times 2\) \(\rho\)-contraction matrices (Q5932196)

The concept of \(\rho\)-contraction introduced by \textit{B. Sz.-Nagy} and \textit{C. Foiaş} [Acta Sci. Math. 27, 17-25 (1966; Zbl 0141.32201)] is analysed for \(2\times 2\) matrices. This approach is justified by its generalization to decomposable operators with at most two-dimensional blocks. Without loss of generality, the authors consider matrices of the form \(A=\left[ \begin{smallmatrix} a & c \\ 0 & b \end{smallmatrix} \right]\) and give a general characterization of \(\rho\)-contractions in terms of \(a,b,c\). Explicit formulas are derived in the special cases of spectrum on the line and spectrum on the circle (i.e. the cases \(\overline ab\in \mathbb{R}\) and \(|a|=|b |\) respectively) and formulas for the \(\rho\)-numerical radius are derived in these cases. The general case is applied to quadratic operators, i.e. operators \(A\) satisfying the equation \(A^2+pA+ qI=0\) for some \(p,q\in \mathbb{C}\).